Flanging thin metal cylinders

ABSTRACT

A LATERALLY EXTENDING FLANGE IS COLD-FORMED AT AN END OF A THIN METAL CYLINDRICAL BODY BY RESPECTIVELY PROVIDING A CIRCULAR FLANGING DIE AND A SWAGING ROLLER WITH COOPERATING FEMALE AND MALE PERIPHERAL RADIUSED CORNERS, AND WHILE AN END OF THE BODY IS AXIALLY ALIGNED WITH THE FLANGING DIE ROTATING THE DIE AND ROLLER ABOUT PARALLEL AXES AND MOVING THEM IN OPPOSITE AXIAL DIRECTIONS INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE INNER AND OUTER SIDES OF THE BODY IN A MANNER SUCH THAT THE FLANGE IS FORMED BY THE SIMULTANEOUS APPLICATION TO THE BODY OF TENSILE AND COMPRESSIVE FORCES.

Oct. 5, 1971 J, T. FRANEK 3,610,009

FLANGING THIN METAL CYLINDERS y Filed Oct. 23, 1969 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 nvenlor FLANGING THIN METAL CYLINDERS Filed Oct. 25, 1969 4 Sheets-SheuL nvenlor 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Oct. 5, 1971 J. T; FRANEK FLANGING THIN METAL CYLINDERS Filed oct. 2s, 1969 g www@ ONSU Lief @@WZ *llw I Augy Oct. 5, 1971 J. T. FRANEK FLANGING THIN METAL CYLINDERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 25. 1969 deu hek Mw Inventor torney United States Patent O 3,610,009 FLANGING THIN METAL CYLINDERS Jozef Tadeusz Franck, Chorleywood, England, assignor to The Metal Box Company Limited, London` England Filed Oct. 23,1969, Ser. No. 868,876 Int. Cl. B21d l9/04 U.S. Cl. 72-84 10 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A laterally extending flange is cold-formed at an end of a thin metal cylindrical body by respectively providing a circular Hanging die and a swaging roller with cooperating female and male peripheral radiused corners, and while an end of the body is axially aligned with the Hanging die rotating the die and roller about parallel axes and moving them in opposite axial directions into engagement with the inner and outer sides of the body in a manner such that the Hange is formed by the simultaneous application to the body of tensile and compressive forces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the invention This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for cold-forming a laterally extending Hange at an end of a thin metal cylinder.

(2) Description of the prior art When the ends of thin metal cylinders for can bodies are Hanged by the conventional die Hanging method the edges are subjected to basically tensile stresses due to the enlargement of the diameter. Die Hanging is performed with a die having a widening contour which when forced into a can body cylinder deHects the metal at the end over the widening contour of the die to extend the metal outwardly and generally normal to the can body cylinder. The shape of the conventional Hange die has been established by trial and error over many years of production experience. It is, however, found that sometimes split flanges may occur because of Haws in the material, or because blunt slitting cutters have been used, but above all, if work-hardened high tensile material with low elongation is used to make the can body cylinders.

When using the conventional die Hanging principle it has been found possible to Hange work hardened material, such as is known in the art as double reduced tinplate, only if the cylinder ends are in the direction of the grain of the material. It is a main object of the present invention to provide a method of and apparatus for Hanging cylinders made of work hardened material while reducing Hange splitting to a minimum.

SUMMARY According ot the invention there is provided a method of cold-forming a laterally extending Hange at an end of a thin metal cylindrical body comprising the steps of supporting for rotation about parallel axes a circular Hanging die and a swaging roller provided respectively with cooperating female and male radiused corners, axially aligning with the Hanging die an end of a cylindrical body to be Hanged, and while positively rotating the Hanging die about the axis thereof engaging the inner and outer sides of the end of the cylindrical body while moving the Hanging die and the swaging roller in opposite axial directions thereby simultaneously applying to the end of the cylindrical body tensile and compressive forces to effect forming of the Hange on the body.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for cold-forming a laterally extending Patented Oct. 5, 1971 ICC Hange at an end of a thin metal cylindrical body, comprising a circular Hanging die and swaging roller supported respectively by spindles for rotation about parallel axes, said Hanging die and swaging roller being provided respectively with co-operating female and male peripheral radiused corners, driving means operable to rotate the Hanging die about its axis, means for axially aligning an end of a cylindrical body with the Hanging die, and cams operable to move the Hanging die and the swaging roller in opposite axial directions into engagement with the inner and outer sides of the end of the cylindrical body thereby simultaneously to apply tensile and compressive forces to the end of the body to effect forming of the Hange. The swaging roller may be movable axially relative to the spindle therefor against the action of a spring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. l is a diagrammatic top plan of a machine embodying apparatus according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a section on line II-II, FIG. l and illustrates apparatus according to the invention,

FIG. 3 illustrates the timing of the apparatus,

FIG. 4 is a development of two cams embodied in the apparatus, and

FIGS. 5 to 10 illustrate the operation of a Hanging die and swaging roller as controlled by the cams of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, can body cylinders 1 are fed by a worm-type conveyor 2 to a rotatable feed turret 3 having pockets 4 equipped with magnets 5, FIGS. 5 and 6, which engage the sides of the cans and align them axially with a circular Hanging die 6, FIGS. 2 and 5 to l0. After Hanging of the cylinder 1, as described below, the Hanged cylinder is received by a pocket 7 of a rotatable ejecting turret 8 the pocket being equipped with a magnet 9, FIG. 10, which engages the side of the Hanged can body and removes it from alignment with the Hanging die 6 and discharges it to a discharge conveyor, not shown. A stripper member 10, FIG. 10, co-operates with turret 8 to effect removal of the Hanged can body.

In the machine illustrated in FIG. l eight sets of Hanging dies 6 and co-operating swaging rollers 11, FIGS. 2 and 5 to 10, are provided, each set consisting of two dies 6 and two rollers 11, as shown in FIGS. 5 to l0, to operate simultaneously to Hange the opposite ends of a can 4body cylinder 1. Since the dies 6 and rollers 11 and the operating mechanism therefor is duplicated for the two ends of a cylinder 1 the Hanging of only one cylinder end gill be specifically described with particular reference to Referring to FIG. 2, the Hanging die 6 and swaging roller 11 are respectively supported by spindles 12, 13 for rotation about parallel axes and the Hanging die and swaging roller are respectively provided with co-operating female and male peripheral radiused corners 14, 1S. The Hanging die spindle 12 is positively rotated about its axis by driving means consisting of a pinion 16 which meshes with a stationary gear 17 co-axial with the axis of rotation of a carrier 18 with which the spindles 12, 13 are rotatable. The axis of rotation of the carrier 18 is parallel lwith the axes of the spindles 12, 13 and the carrier is rotatable with a shaft 19 which is driven by any suitable means, not shown. Cams 20, 21 are operable to move the Hanging die 6 and the swaging roller 11 in opposite axial directions into and out of engagement with the inner and outer sides of the end of the cylinder 1 thereby simultaneously to apply tensile and compressive forces to the end of the cylinder to effect forming of the Hange 1a.

The spindle 12 is rotatable in bearings 22, 23 mounted in a sleeve 24 which is slidable axially in the carrier 18 and the sleeve 24 is connected to a cam follower support 25 which supports cam followers 26 co-operating with the cam 20. The spindle 13 is freely rotatable in bearings 27, 28 mounted in a sleeve 29 fast in a cam follower support 30 which is slidable axially in the carrier 18. The bearings 27, 28 are eccentric to the axis of rotation of the carrier 18 to ensure suillcient radial pressure against the exterior of the cylinder 1.

Adjustment of the extent of eccentricity can be effected by suitable means, not shown. The cam follower support 30 carries cam followers 31 which co-operate with the cam 21.

The swaging roller 11 is movable axially relative to the spindle 13 against the action of a spring 32 which urges the roller against a shoulder 33 on the spindle 13. The leading of the spring 32 maintains the roller 11 against the shoulder 33 during ilanging unless the preloading force is exceeded, as when the roller 11 is engaged 'by the longitudinal side seam of a cylinder, when the spring 32 permits controlled axial movement of the r-oller relative to spindle 11.

The flanging die 6 is provided with a peripheral annular abutment 34 which, as shown in the drawing, is arranged to determine the extent of overturning of the flange 1a and also frictionally to engage the face 35 of roller 11 to effect rotation of the roller 11 about its axis.

The mode of operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 10.

When a cylinder 1 is moved by turret 3 into axial alignment with the ilanging dies 6, FIGS. and 6 positions A and B FIG. 3, the ilanging dies 6 and swaging rollers 11 under control of cams 20, 21 occupy the positions shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. When the cylinder has advanced to position C, FIGS. 3 and 4, the ilanging dies 6 have entered the end of the cylinder and the cylinder has been released by magnet 5, FIG. 7. Rotation of carrier 18 continues the movement of the cylinder to position D, FIGS. 3 and 4 by which time the cams 20, 21 have caused the ilanging dies 6 and swaging rollers 11 to occupy the positions shown in FIG. 8, the abutments 34 now engaging the faces 35 of the swaging rollers 11.

While the cylinder is being advanced between positions D and E, FIGS. 3 and 4, the ilanging dies 6 and swaging rollers 11 co-operate simultaneously to apply tensile and compressive forces to the ends of the cylinder so as to form the flanges 1a, FIG. 9, and during this time the ilanging dies 6 rotate about six times around their axes. Between positions E and F, FIGS. 3 and 4 cams 20 disengage the ilanging dies 6 from the cylinder but the flanges 1a remain engaged by the swaging rollers 11 so that ironing to ensure consistency takes place between positions F and G. At positions F and G, FIGS. 3 and 4, the flanged cylinder is engaged by magnet 9 and the cylinder is tripped away from rollers 11 and is removed by the turret 8.

Although in the foregoing the method and apparatus have been described with reference to the simultaneous ilanging of both ends of a cylinder it will be understood that, if desired, one end only of a cylindrical body can be flanged.

As stated above, the apparatus operates effectively with work hardened material and it also has the advantage that the radius of the corner of a swaging roller can be reduced to a minimum and this is considered to be of advantage when the flanged cylinder has can ends double seamed thereto. It is also found that when the cylinders are formed with soldered lap joints, thick laps are reduced in thickness, and this reduces the tendency of the laps to split during the ilanging operation. It is further thought by using the apparatus according to the invention to flange cylinders having welded seams, that the small notches previously required in the vicinity of the seam may be avoided.

I claim:

1. A method of cold-forming a laterally extending flange at an end of a thin metal cylindrical body comprising the steps of supporting for rotation about parallel axes a circular flanging die and a swaging roller provided respectively with co-operating female and male radiused corners, axially aligning with the ilanging die an end of a cylindrical body to be flanged, and while positively rotating the ilanging die about the axis thereof engaging the inner and outer sides of the end of the cylindrical body While moving the ilanging die and the swaging roller in opposite axial directions, thereby simultaneously applying to the end of the cylindrical body tensile and compressive forces to effect forming of the flange on the body.

2. Apparatus for cold-forming a laterally extending flange at an end of a thin metal cylindrical body, comprising a circular ilanging die and a swaging roller supported by spindles for rotation about parallel axes, said ilanging die and swaging roller being provided respectively with co-operating female and male peripheral radiused corners, driving means operable to rotate the flanging die about its axis, means for axially aligning an end of a cylindrical body with the ilanging die7 and cams operable to move the flanging die and the swaging roller in opposite axial directions into engagement with the inner and outer sides of the end of the cylindrical body thereby simultaneously to apply tensile and compressive forces to the end of the body to effect forming of the flange.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the swaging roller is movable axially relative to the spindle therefor against the action of a spring.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the flanging die is provided with a peripheral annular abutment arranged to determine the extent of overturning of the flange and frictionally to engage a face of the swaging roller to effect rotation of the roller about the axis thereof.

5. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the flanging die and swaging roller spindles are supported for rotation in a carrier and for axial movement relative to the carrier, the carrier is rotatable about an axis parallel to the axes of the ilanging die and swaging roller spindles, a pinion secured to the flanging die spindle meshes with a stationary gear co-axial with the axis of rotation of the carrier, and the ilanging die and swaging roller spindles have associated therewith cam followers cooperating with stationary cams co-axial with the axis of rotation of the carrier and arranged to effect said axial movements of the ilanging die and swaging roller.

6. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the means for axially aligning a cylindrical body with the ilanging die comprises a magnet movable with a feed turret and arranged to engage the side of the body.

7. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the ilanging die is provided with a peripheral annular abutment arranged to determine the extent of overturning of the flange and frictionally to engage a face of the swaging roller to effect rotation of the roller about the axis thereof.

8. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the flanging die and swaging roller spindles are supported for rotation in a carrier and for axial movement relative to the carrier, the carrier is rotatable about an axis parallel to the axes of the ilanging die and swaging roller spindles, a pinion secured to the ilanging die spindle meshes with a stationary gear co-axial with the axis of rotation of the carrier, and the ilanging die and swaging roller spindles have associated therewith cam followers co-operating with stationary cams co-axial with the axis of rotation of the carrier and arranged to effect said axial movements of the ilanging die and swaging roller.

9. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the means for axially aligning a cylindrical body with the flanging die comprises a magnet movable with a feed turret and arranged to engage the side of the body.

10. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the ilanging die yis provided with a peripheral annular abutment arranged to determine the extent of overturning of the movement relative to the carrier, the carrier is rotatable 5 about an axis parallel to the axes of the Hanging die and swaging roller spindles, a pinion secured to the Hanging die spindle meshes with a stationary gear co-axial with the axis of rotation of the carrier, and the Hanging die and swaging roller spindles have associated therewith cam followers co-operating with stationary cams co-axial with the axis of rotation of the carrier and arranged to effect said axial movements of the Hanging die and swaging roller, and wherein the means for axially aligning a cylindrical body with the Hanging die comprises a magnet movable with a feed turret and arranged to engage the side of the body.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,483,722 12/1969 Fink 72-94 2,956,610 10/1960 Diezel 72-94 10 LOWELL A. LARsoN, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.

'(ggg UNITED STATES PTENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3.610.009 L Dated October 5, 1971 Inventor(s) JOZEF TADEUSZ FRANEK It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

[ Column l, after line 5 read the following Claims priority, application Great Britain, Octob'er 25,1968,50883/68 Signed r11nd sealed this 18th day of' April 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EYJDNARD I-I.FLLTC'1I:5E,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK .Attracting Officer' l Commissioner of Patents 

